Lymphedema Therapy: Finding Relief During Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer treatment affects everyone differently. For some, it can cause painful side effects that make daily life harder. One of those side effects is lymphedema, which causes swelling and discomfort, usually in the arms.

At AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, physical therapists offer hands-on lymphedema care to support you during every stage of your breast cancer treatment.

What is lymphedema?

Lymphedema is chronic swelling caused by a buildup of lymph — a fluid that helps your body fight infection. It happens when your lymphatic system gets blocked or damaged. Lymphedema symptoms may include:

• Skin redness and thickening
• Swelling or heaviness in your arms or legs
• Skin tightness or pain

Your risk of developing lymphedema is higher if you have had breast cancer surgery or radiation treatment that involved removing lymph nodes.

Other causes of lymphedema can include:

• Obesity
• Swelling in the leg veins
• A major surgery, like hip, knee, or abdominal procedures
• Head or neck cancer

“Lymphedema can develop in people of all ages and backgrounds and show up weeks, months, or even years after treatment,” said an AHN physical therapist. “There’s no way to predict lymphedema before it happens, so if you notice swelling or changes, reach out right away. The sooner we start treatment, the better the outcome.”

Looking for symptoms during breast cancer treatment

If you’re getting breast cancer surgery, your doctors may refer you to AHN Westfield Memorial to monitor your lymph nodes.

To check for lymphedema, your therapy team may:

• Do a Stemmer’s Sign test by gently pinching your skin.
• Measure your arms and legs.
• Check your arm strength and range of motion.
• Show you exercises to reduce stiffness and swelling after surgery.

Finding lymphedema early is key for treating it effectively. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are lymphedema, therapists at AHN Westfield Memorial will help guide you to the answers and care you need.

How lymphedema is treated

There are two main techniques for lymphedema treatment: manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and compression. These often work best when used together to address symptoms and help reduce swelling.

MLD: Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a massage technique that involves moving lymph fluid away from swollen areas and into nearby lymphatic vessels to be picked up by the lymphatic system. Your therapists will decide what MLD method is right for you, based on where you have the most swelling.

Compression: Your therapy team may have you wear compression garments — tight-fitting garments used to apply pressure to body parts — to reduce swelling in your arms or legs. Your care team will talk with you about a compression routine to follow at home, including:

• Picking the right size compression garments for your body
• Wearing compression garments during parts of the day or night
• Using tools like a compression pump if your swelling is severe

“Consistency at home is key between therapy visits,” shared another AHN physical therapist. “Our patients who wear lymphedema compression garments regularly report feeling relief faster."

Preventing future lymphedema

If you’ve had lymphedema before, you can lower your risk of it coming back by:

• Staying active and eating a balanced diet
• Protecting your skin from sunburn and insect bites
• Avoiding blood pressure checks on a swollen arm 

You can talk with your therapy team about more ways to prevent returning lymphedema symptoms.

“Living with lymphedema is about management,” said an AHN physical therapist. “With the right support and small daily habits, most people find they can get back to the things they love doing with much less pain or worry.”

We’re here to help

If lymphedema is making it hard to move or feel comfortable, the physical therapists at AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital are here to help. Learn more about how physical therapy at AHN Westfield Memorial can help you take charge of your care and find relief.